Binder



Patented Aug. 24, 1943 .Hl-lndrew'Kowalsky, to International Perdido Beach, la., assignor Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey y Application February 23, 1942, Serial No. 431,949 claims. (Cl. 5er- 449) This invention relates vto a binder and particularly to a binder for `binding grain or corn. Still more particularly the invention pertains to bundle-forming mechanism for a binder.

In a grain binder, for example, the usual constructionincludes a' binder Ydeck and a breastplate dispo-sed in spaced apart relation and adapted to receive therebetween grain to be formed into a bundle. VThe binding mechanism includes knotter mechanism operable when the bundle has attained the proper size, the bundle being thereafter dischargedv by `release of the usual trip mechanism. The trip-mechanism includes an arm which serves to` support the bundle and which is releasable when, the bundle reaches the proper size. In the usual binder constructiomthe trip or release arm does not entirelyenolose the space between the deck and the breastplata vwith the result that portions of the grain escape OVGIT the end of the release arm. This disadvantageis especially pronounced becausethe space through which the grain escapes is in 'close proximity to the knot-tying mechanism. Consequently, it is diicult at all times for the binder to form and discharge `satisfactory, bundles.

The principal object of the present invention isk to provide animproved retaining meanswhi'ch cooperates with-the usualbundle-forming mechanism and which serves to insure the `proper formation of bundles. v, i i

lt is an important object of this invention to provide means by which the retaining means is operated by the binding mechanism in timed relationship so that the means is in bundle-retaining position during formation of the bundle and is released upon discharge of thebundle.

Another object is toi provide the retaining means in the form of an.` arm` pivotally carried by the breastplate and having a portion adapted to cooperate with-the usual trip or presser arm of the binder to completely enclose the space between the breastplate and the deck.` v

Another object is to'provide cam means operable by a rotating part of vthe binder, preferably the discharge arm shaft, for actuating theretaining means.`

The foregoing and other important objects of this invention will becomereadily apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying sheet of drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side. elevational View partly in section showing the `bundleforming mechanism of a binder of thev usual type;

Figure 21's a view similar to Figure 1; but showing mechanism 'tion with respect to the deck 5.

me the parte in position after the bundle has been discharged; i A

Figure 3 is an elevational View of a.` portion of the binder showing generally the driving mechanism therefor;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the bundle-formof the binder of this invention; and Y Figure 5 is a fragmentary View in perspective showing parts beneath the binder deck. As previously stated, the vinvention is particularly applicableto machines ofthe corn or grainbinding type, but lit will be `appreciated that the mechanism provided by the invention may be suitably utilized in other instances.

For the purposes of illustration and disclosure, the bundle-forming mechanism of a conventional grain binder has been selected andonly those portions of the binderdeemed necessary for adequate disclosure have been illustrated and will bep-described. y q i As shown inligures l and'Z, the reference character 5 designates the binder deck. A breastplateindicatcd at 6is disposed in spaced rela- In the case of a grain binder, la shaft 'l (Figure 3) is journaled below and transversely of the deck 5. This shaft constitutes the, usual packer arm shaft which carries a plurality of packer arms, only one of which is shown at E.. A needle shaft I0 parallelsthe packer shaft l, carries the` twine 3-5 and has its outer end formed with a crank ll. A third shaft i2 parallels they needle shaft Il) below the deck 5. This shaft carries for rotation therewith a forwardly extending member i3, to which is rigidly securedv an upstanding trip or presser arm I4. This'arm extends through a slot in the deck 5 and its proximate surface of the breastplate 6. The needle shaft ill carries a needle I5 which may be of conventional design. t

The breastplate v(i carries at its side opposite the side facing the deck 5 a supporting housing i6' in which is journaled a transverse shaft I1. The housing l5 'and its associated sleeve portion i8 are further supported from the breastplate 6 by a brace member i9. The shaft IIconstitutes the usual discharge arm shaft and carries a discharge arm 20. Knot-tying mechanism, which maybe of usual design as generally indicated at 2 Il, is provided in the usual location n the breastplate 5. l As shown in Figure. 3, the main frame of the binder includes` a portion. serving `as a housing 22. ,This housing contains'suitable gearingy not free end is spaced slightly from the shown, for driving a gear wheel 23 on the discharge arm shaft I1. The packer arm shaft 1 carries a clutch member 24. The trip arm shaft I2 carries a latch member 25 engageable with a pawl 26 of the clutch member 24. During the formation of the bundle, the parts are in the positions shown in Figures 1 and 3. The latch 25 maintains the pawl 26 in disengaged position so that theclutch member 24 is preventedrfrom rotating with the packer shaft 1. When the bundle reaches the proper size and is ready for discharge, the pressure created by the added size and weight of the bundle releases the trip arm I4. As best shown in Figure 5, movement of this arm I4 is followed by slight rotation of the trip arm shaft I2, which raises the latch 25 away from the clutch pawl 26. The clutch member 24 then rotates and, through the mechanism in the Y housing 22, drives the gear wheel 23, thus rotating the discharge arm shaft I1. The crank II at the outer end of the needle shaft I0 is connected to one end of a connecting rod 21, the other end of this rod being connected to the gear wheel 23. Upon rotation of the gear wheel 23, the connecting rod 21 effects operation of the needle shaft I9, the needle I5 and the knot-tying means 2Iv then functioning in the usual manner to bind the bundle, after which the trip arm I4 is moved to the position shown in Figure 2. Rotation of the discharge arm shaft I1 is such that the discharge arm engages the bundle and discharges the same from the deck 5. The gear wheel 23 is associated in the usual manner with means, generally indicated at 2B, for restoring the latch 25 to its original position for maintaining the clutch pawl 26 out of engagement with the packer shaft 1. The mechanism and operation just described are conventional in the usual grain binder and are well understood by those versed inthe art, and the general description thereof has been set forth merely for the purpose of providing an adequate background for-the disclosure of the present invention.

As stated previously, the end of the trip arm I4 is spaced a slight distance from the proximate surface of the breastplate 6. It Will be seen, upon examination of the drawing, that this space is in close proximity to the knot-tying means 2|. As also stated previously, it has been found in previous constructions that portions of the grain or other material being bound had a tendency toescape through this space. The possibility of vthis result is especially illustrated in Figure 1, wherein a dotted circle designated by the numeral 34 represents a bundle being formed between the deck and breastplate. According to the present invention, means is provided for eliminating the difficulty just described.

In a preferred form of the invention the retaining means takes the form of. an arm or member 29 pivoted at one end at 30 on the breastplate 6. In normal position this arm parallels the breastplate and has at its free end an angular portion 3l whichv extends toward the deck 5. In particular, the portion 3l combines with the trip arm I4 to completely enclose the space between the deck 5 and the breastplate 6. An intermediate portion of the arm carries a roller `32. This roller is engaged in normal position of the arm by a cam member 33 carried by and for rotation with the discharge arm shaft I1. The cam thus provides means for maintaining the retaining arm in normal or retaining position. and, upon rotation of the cam, release `mal or bundle-retaining position.

of the arm is effected, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

During the operation of the binder, as equipped with the improved retaining means, the parts are in the positions illustrated in Figure 1. In such instance the angular portion 3| of the arm 29 is cooperating with the trip arm I4 to provide means that properly retain the bundle to be formed. It will be noted that the roller 32 on the arm 29 is engaged by a high spot on the cam 33, so that the arm is securely held in nor- After the bundle has been formed, the bundle-forming mechanism operates in the manner previously described. Upon rotation of the discharge arm shaft I1 for the discharging of the completed bundle, the cam 33 rotates and a low spot on the cam is presented to the roller 32, thus effecting or permitting movement of the arm 29 out of the path of the discharged bundle. Upon completion of the discharging operation, the arm 29 returns to position as the other binder parts are also restored to their starting positions.

It will be noted that the angular portion 3l on the arm 29 effectively closes the space between the free end of the trip arm I4 and the proximate surface of the breastplate 6. Thus, means is provided for preventing the escape of portions of the grain or like material through the opening that formerly existed, With the result now that the grain or the material being bound is properly held in place so that satisfactory'bundles are insured. The driving means, comprising the cam 33 and roller 32, effectively controls the movement of the retaining arm 29.

The preferred form of the invention illustrated has been designed primarily as an attachment fora conventional binder, and it will be seen that this attachment may be readily installed without seriously altering the existing binder construction. Other advantages in the design and functioning of the mechanism will be apparent to those skilled in the'art.

It will be understood, of course, that only7 a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and that numerous modifications and alterations may be made therein Without'departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as `defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. For a binder having bundle-forming mechanism including a deck and a breastplate spaced apart and adapted to receive a bundle therebetween, a presser arm alternately extended and retracted through said deck, and an intermittently driven discharge arm movable to discharge a completed bundle: bundle-retaining means comprising a retaining member and the said presser arm; means mounting the member on the breastplate for swinging movement between two positions; said member including a portion adapted to extend, in one position of the member, at least partially across the space between Ythe deck and breastplate and complementing the presser arm for entire coverage of said space to retain the bundle being formed; and cam means mounted With and operated by the intermittent drive of the discharge arm and having high and low portions engageable with the retaining member to respectively maintain the member in bundie-retaining position and to effect release ofthe member from said position upon movement of the discharge arm to discharge the bundle. y

2. For a binder having bundle-forming mechanism including a deck and a breastplate spaced apart and adapted to receive a bundle therebetween, a discharge arm movable to discharge a `completed bundle, and a releasable presser arm extending from the deck toward the breastplate and closing only a portion of the space between the deck and breastplate: bundle-retaining means comprising a member having a portion closing the remainder of the space between the deck and breastplate to cooperate with the -presser arm in retaining a bundle; means mounting the member for movement away from retaining position; and cam means unitarily mounted with and operated by `the discharge arm and engaging said bundle-retaining means whereby a portion of said cam maintains the member in bundleretaining position and another portion effects the release of the member from said position upon movement of the discharge arm to discharge the bundle.

3. For a binder having bundle-forming mechanism including a deck and a breastplate spaced apart and adapted to receive a bundle therebetween, and a discharge arm carried for rotation by a shaft transversely of the breastplate: bundle-retaining means comprising a member having a portion extending at least partially across the space between the breastplate and deck for retaining the bundle being formed; means mounting said member for movement away from retaining position; a cam ainxed to said discharge arm shaft and having a continuous surface engageable with the said member, whereby when the discharge arm is stationary the said member is in a bundle-retaining position and upon rotation of the said discharge arm shaft the member is released permitting discharge of the bundle.

4. For a binder having bundle-forming mechanism including a deck and a breastplate spaced apart and adapted to receive a bundle therebetween, a shaft rotatably carried by the breastplate and extending transversely thereof, a discharge arm carried by the shaft for rotation therewith to discharge a bundle from the deck: bundle-retaining means comprising an arm pivoted at one end on the breastplate for movement toward and away from the deck, said arm including at its other end an angular portion eX- tending toward the deck and in part closing the space between the deck and breastplate to retain a bundle on the deck, said portion being normally disposed in yretaining position during formation of a bundle; a cam immovably mounted relative to said discharge arm shaft, the said cam engaging said retaining arm, whereby upon actuation of said shaft and said cam the retaining arm is adapted to automatically vswitch from a bundleretaining position to an out of the way released position.

5. For a binder having bundle-forming mechanism including a deck and a breastplate spaced apart and adapted to receive a bundle therebetween, a shaft rotatably carried by the breastplate and extending transversely thereof, a discharge arm carried by the shaft for rotation therewith to discharge a bundlefro-m the deck: bundle-retaining means comprising an arm pivoted at one end on the breastplate for movement toward and away from the deck, said arm including at its other end an angular portion extending toward the deck and in part closing the space between the deck and breastplate to retain a bundle on the deck, said angular portion being normally disposed in retaining position during formation of a bundle; cam means carried by and rotatable with the discharge arm shaft and engageable with the angular portion of the retaining arm for alternately maintaining said arm in and out of retaining position, said cam being formed to eiTect release of said arm upon rotation of said shaft to discharge a bundle.

ANDRE-W KOWALSKY. 

